Discussing the Dao with Mayor Huang

"Father, here, drink this. Once you drink it, you'll have a new lease on life."

William helped Henry Norman sit up in his hospital bed.

Old Henry looked up at the porcelain bottle in his son's hand, and his dull eyes instantly lit up.

"Is... is... is it Eternal Life...?"

"Yes, Father. This is Eternal Life's secret life-extending medicine. Hurry and take it."

"Good... good!"

Old Henry took the porcelain bottle, immediately uncapped it, then tipped back his head and drank every last drop.

Once the medicine reached his stomach, old Henry's wrinkled skin and hair, which had not a single dark strand left, began to change instantly. All his hair fell out, and new hair began to grow. His old skin peeled away as vitality surged through him once more.

A dying man had suddenly regained his vigor.

The feeling was simply wonderful.

"Father, how do you feel?" William's voice brimmed with concern and excitement.

"Good. I feel very good. After all these years, this feels absolutely wonderful! Hahaha..."

Old Henry burst into hearty laughter.

"This is wonderful! Father, you've finally recovered."

Yet William's eyes grew moist. For ten years, he had sacrificed so much for this day, but the moment he saw his father stand again, it all became worthwhile.

"William, don't cry. The heir to the Norman Family must not be so ruled by emotion."

"Yes, Father."

William quickly wiped away the tears before they could fall. His father, whose word was law, had returned. The most important person in his life had returned.

"Mm. Thank you for all your efforts over these past ten years."

"Father, it was no hardship. As long as you could come back, it was all worth it."

In the Xia Kingdom, Zhang Hongxing's little home welcomed two honored guests.

Mayor Huang Sheng came to his home with his wife and their daughter, Huang Keke. As soon as they met, Mrs. Huang took her daughter's hand, and the two bowed to Zhang Hongxing in thanks.

Afterward, they joined the women in Zhang Hongxing's household.

Three women could make a whole drama; with four or five gathered together, they had enough to talk about for days and nights.

While the women chatted about family matters, Zhang Hongxing and Huang Sheng sat at the stone table in the courtyard, with Zhang Jun acting as their "tea attendant."

"Mayor Huang, I know exactly why you're here, and I don't like beating around the bush. Why don't you start by telling me your plans?"

"That suits me perfectly, Mr. Zhang. Then I'll be frank. As for building a Research Base in Shimen County, to be honest, I haven't made any preparations. I came here to discuss it with you.

"At the very least, you need to tell me how much space you require and what you intend to research. Only then can I plan things properly."

Huang Sheng was not displeased that Zhang Hongxing had invited him to drink tea in the courtyard. On the contrary, he preferred this kind of hospitality. At least it felt free of pressure.

He disliked putting pressure on others, and disliked others putting pressure on him even more.

"Mayor Huang, do you really not know what this Research Base is being built for?"

Zhang Hongxing looked at Huang Sheng with interest. Since Wang Desheng had entrusted the Research Base project to this mayor, there was no reason for him to conceal what had happened at the Biler Red Valley base.

Under Zhang Hongxing's gaze, Huang Sheng's face flushed slightly, but he quickly concealed it.

Naturally, Wang Desheng had not concealed what had happened at the Biler Red Valley base. He had even specifically reminded Huang Sheng that the purpose of establishing the Research Base was to let Zhang Hongxing study his method of controlling the climate.

"Mr. Zhang, building a Research Base is no small matter. Without consulting you in person, I can't determine exactly what kind of research environment you need."

Zhang Hongxing smiled faintly, then picked up a cup of tea and slowly drank.

Huang Sheng had risen to the position of mayor; he certainly could not be underestimated.

When Zhang Hongxing said nothing, Huang Sheng did not grow anxious. He, too, picked up a cup of hot tea and sipped it slowly.

What official lacked patience?

Especially the mayor of an entire city.

Only after a long while did Zhang Hongxing set down his cup. He was not deliberately putting on airs. In fact, he had been thinking. Before meeting Huang Sheng, he had intended to begin with weather-altering formations and gradually explore ways to integrate formations with technology.

But that approach was extremely difficult. He had thought about it for a long time without finding a suitable method.

He did not even know where to start.

"Mayor Huang, to be honest, the system I've mastered is completely different from modern technology. If I were to start with that formation capable of altering the climate in a small area, I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to proceed. I wonder if you could offer any suggestions."

"May I ask what sort of system you've mastered, Mr. Zhang?"

Huang Sheng looked at Zhang Hongxing with a hint of excitement. Zhang Hongxing's mention of formations had already sparked an association in his mind. As a native of the Xia Kingdom, he had naturally heard legends of immortals, heroes, ghosts, and monsters.

"It's what you're imagining. It's somewhat like the cultivation novels online, though there are some differences."

"Could someone like me cultivate?"

Huang Sheng looked at Zhang Hongxing expectantly. When it came to immortal cultivation, even a mayor was not immune to its allure.

"I don't know, but I'd advise you not to get your hopes up. At least for now, I know of fewer than ten people who have successfully cultivated."

Zhang Hongxing's words brought Huang Sheng back to his senses. To make him give up completely, Zhang Hongxing even taught him the immortal cultivation method on the spot, holding nothing back, and had him practice for half a day.

Naturally, there was no response whatsoever.

"Sigh... It seems I really don't have what it takes for immortal cultivation."

"Don't take it so hard, Mayor Huang. This was never going to be easy."

"You needn't comfort me, Mr. Zhang. I've lived more than forty years; I can still adjust my own mindset. All right, now that I've tried, let's return to our earlier topic."

"That would be best."

Zhang Hongxing began slowly outlining his ideas, taking particular care to explain some of the key aspects of formations in detail.

Now that Huang Sheng had settled down, he listened with great attention.

"Mr. Zhang, based on what you've said, I don't think the research base should focus on changing the weather and climate right from the outset. Perhaps we could first try combining the two on a smaller scale.

"For example, making something harder or lighter. Or we could simply study how to integrate formations with our weapons and warships to increase their power and strengthen their defenses."

After hearing Zhang Hongxing's explanation, Huang Sheng offered his own views. Given the hostile international environment the Xia Kingdom currently faced, he was more eager for Zhang Hongxing to find a way to integrate formations with the kingdom's weapons and warships as soon as possible.

Making something harder.

Making something lighter.

Increasing the power of weapons.

Strengthening the defenses of warships.

Following Huang Sheng's train of thought, Zhang Hongxing began making connections. One after another, formations that might be combined with technological products flashed through his mind.

"I've got it!"